The Sommer Frieze

As I wrote yesterday, Russell Branyan went to the Mariners. Branyan is known for his hr, low ba, and high # of strikeouts. .250-12-20 last year in 132 AB for the Brewers. 12 HR, nice. 42 K, not nice. All or nothing. He is a .230 hitter whose 162 g. ave is .230-28-68 with 169 K, OPS+ 109. Which explains why the soon-to-be 33 year old has never received 400 AB in a season.

Bobby Howry has signed on with SF. Howry, 35, righty reliever, was 7-5, 5.35 for the Cubs in 2008. 1 save, ERA+ 84. For his career, he is 42-43, 3.68, ERA+ 125.

Yankee OF (10 for 40 this year, 7 for 8 in sb) Justin Christian is playing winter ball in Mexico, and not doing badly. .294-3-17 in 143 AB, 12 SB in 13 attempts.

I read recently where Freddy Garcia’s comeback has hit a bump as he has more arm trouble.

Dave Ross is rumored to be going to Atlanta to be their backup C. Ross only hit .225-3-13 in 142 AB (Cin/Bos) in 2008 but had 21 and 17 HR respectively for the Reds in 2006 and 2007.

For the latest, check out MLB Trade Rumors.
With the winter meetings starting up next week, it’s like a lull right now…before the storm?

An add-on before heading to work (swing shift Th. and Fridays, then a short turnaround and reg. shift Sats.): Auburn is looking for a new football coach now that Tommy Tuberville is gone. I was never a fan of Pat “Tie” Dye. I always thought the biggest mistake they made was in forcing Terry Bowden out.